Giveaway: Celebrate Earth Day with Grocery Outlet and win a Gift Card!

Earth Day is approaching, and there's no better way to celebrate being green than by saving some green at Grocery Outlet Bargain Market! With such low prices, you might think that Grocery Outlet only sells thrift store, mass-market brand canned goods, not higher-end, all-natural and organic brands.  But Grocery Outlet has a whole aisle dedicated to organic foods!  I first discovered this all-important fact thanks to my friend Dena, who is an all-natural, organic foods purist -- a regular Grocery Outlet shopper!

To celebrate Earth Day, I went on an eco-friendly shopping trip to Grocery Outlet and challenged myself to find deals on nothing but organic foods.  You could barely call it a challenge; in no time at all I filled my cart with $50 worth of organic goodies ($51.69, to be exact), saving almost half off regular prices in the process!  The 3 boxes of CLIF Kid snacks and 3 Kashi pizzas would have easily cost $50 at any other place.

This box of CLIF Kid Full Moon Brownie ZBars is the perfect example of how Grocery Outlet can keep their prices so low.  Notice the Halloween-themed packaging -- retailers don't want to sell these after October 31, so Grocery Outlet can get them at a super cheap price.  Do I care that there are werewolves and witches on the wrapper?  Heck, no!  Normally I buy these for about $1 each.  You can also buy them in bulk for for about $16 or $17 for a pack of 18.  I've seen them on sale for about $12 -- but I paid $10.47 at Grocery Outlet.

Again, it's worth noting that these are well-known organic brands.  Here are more natural or organic brands I saw at my local Grocery Outlet Bargain Market:

Amy's
Kashi
Pacific Foods
Wolfgang Puck's Organic
Rice Dream
Annie Chun's All Natural Asian Cuisine
CLIF Kid
Plum Organics
Harvest Farms
Walnut Acres
Earth's Best
Bear Naked

The stock at every Grocery Outlet store is different, and it changes frequently, so you never know which brands you are going to find -- but the one thing you can be sure of is the great brands and great prices.  Check out the eco-frugal deals at your local Grocery Outlet ASAP!


Win a $100 Grocery Outlet gift card
Here's another way to celebrate Earth Day with Grocery Outlet: help design the next Grocery Outlet reusable bag!  Just submit your design on Instagram, tag @grocery_outlet and include hashtag #GOGreenBag, and you could win a $25 gift card for Honorable Mention or the grand prize, a $100 gift card.  For details, go to www.groceryoutlet.com/default/bargainistablog/13-04-03/Go_Green_Bag.aspx.

Win a $30 Grocery Outlet gift card
Here's yet another way to celebrate Earth Day with Grocery Outlet:  enter my giveaway for a $30 Grocery Outlet gift card!  One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win.

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share your favorite organic or all-natural brand.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow bonggamom on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like Bonggamom Finds" on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):
I entered the Grocery Outlet Eco-Frugal giveaway!  bit.ly/10H3s2G

6) Tweet this once per day (1 entry per day)
@bonggafinds is giving away a $30 @GroceryOutlet gift card !   Enter by 4/21 at bit.ly/10H3s2G

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you join)

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on April 21, 2013; I will draw a winner at random on April 22 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.



Disclosure: Grocery Outlet provided me with a $30 gift card to assist me in writing this post.  All expenses over $30 were incurred by me. Grocery Outlet also provided a second $30 gift card for the giveaway.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Earth-friendly wooden toys for Earth Day

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22, and for the past few years I've enjoyed sharing a few of the eco-friendly products that I've reviewed and loved. Several weeks ago I received some wooden toys from Blue Orange Games to review, and we've been enjoying them so much that I've decided to give this year's Earth Day roundup a theme: eco-friendly toys and games.

Despite all the videogames, remote-control cars, laser guns and plastic ponies my kids play with, there's a special place in my heart for wooden toys. They look great, they last forever, they don't need batteries, and they don't come with annoying chirps, beeps, wails or endless renditions of Justin Bieber's Baby! They're the ultimate in eco-friendly, and despite their simplicity, they can entertain for hours on end.

Over the years, we've discovered and enjoyed a variety of wooden toys, for all ages and stages. Here are some of my favorites:


For babies: Wooden bead maze
This was a mealtime must at our household. I love the suction cups that let you stick this maze onto high chair trays, coffee tables, even stroller bars, so it doesn't get knocked over by baby's zealous efforts to grab the brightly colored beads and push them along.

For toddlers: Plan Toys solid wooden drum
We bought this for 3Po and Jammy when it became clear that our pots, pans and coffee table were in danger from our babies' insane desire to make noise by hitting something. This drum sounds wonderful, and it gave us many, many years of music-making pleasure.




For preschoolers: IKEA Lillabo wooden train setWhat child doesn't love a wooden train set? Unfortunately, the famous Thomas the Tank wooden train sets don't come cheap, so they're out of the price range of many families. This 12-piece set from IKEA, at just $9.99, is an affordable starter set, or a great add-on set for those who want to splurge on the Thomas trains, but not the Thomas tracks.




For kinders: Fastrack
It's like a low-tech (but high-fun) pinball machine! Kids use the elastic bands to send their wooden disks flying through a small hole in the center bar, into their opponent's side. The person to get all 10 disks onto their opponent's side wins! It's a lot more challenging -- and addictive -- than it looks, and even though the starting age range is 5, this is a game that the whole family will get into.






For elementary schoolers: Gobblet! strategy game
The goal of the game is to line up 4 pieces in a row, but this is so much more than tic-tac-toe. Game pieces nest into each other like Babushka dolls, and you are allowed to "gobble" up your opponent's pieces to block their progress. Even when all the pieces are on the board, you can keep going (by gobbling pieces), so it turns out to be quite a challenging game. I love this game because kids can play it with adults -- and kids can win!




For middle schoolers: Beads Pagoda Starter Puzzle
Rotate the sections of the tower to get all the wooden beads of the same color line up on the same floor. Just like a Rubik's cube, but cuter! This is the easiest in a series of 3 pagoda puzzles, so once your child figures it out, he can move on to the more complex versions.




For high schoolers and beyond: Packing Challenge Wooden Puzzle
I'm great at cramming things into a suitcase, but this getting these 11 pieces to fit into the wooden box is beyond me. Fortunately, the puzzle comes with a solution, so neat freaks who can't complete the puzzle can still pack everything neatly away.


What are some of your favorite wooden toys? Happy Earth Day!

Disclosure: I received Gobblet! and Fast Track from Blue Orange Games to facilitate my review. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Lonesome George & Co. Apparel

Tee shirts are a dime a dozen these days, but even though there are so many shirt companies around, it can be difficult to find a shirt design that's cool and unique -- especially when it comes to tee shirts for a cause. All too often the shirt is low quality, or the design is cheesy, or the shirt contains such a blatant cause-focused message that you look like you're headed for the picket line. I like supporting causes by buying shirts, but all too often I end up wearing the shirt at night or to the gym.

That's definitely not the case with Lonesome George & Co. shirts. They have cute designs, high-quality shirts -- and a worthy cause. The company is named after the rarest animal in the world. The real Lonesome George lives on the Galapagos Islands. He is the last surviving Pinta Island tortoise in the world; when he dies, his kind will be extinct. Lonesome George & Co. invests 10% of each purchase into education programs like Outward Bound and Ashoka, to help create a new generation of leaders who understand the interdependence of the environment, community, business and government -- and are willing to act so that situations like Lonesome George's don't happen again.


Lonesome George sent me a Passport tee so I could check out the design and quality. I love this shirt. The shirt is a size Large, and when I first put it on I was inclined to think that the fit runs a bit smal. But I've changed my mind; it's not meant to be a loose-fitting shirt, it's long and narrow. The fit is actually really flattering; it makes my shoulders look bony and my neck seem long and elegant. The combination of grey shirt and wine-colored stamp design is perfect for the fall, and it looks great with a pair of jeans.

I like it so much that I'm thinking of buying shirts for my kids and Alfie! Don't worry, we won't end up looking like a dweeby family, all in the same shirt. There are tons of other great designs, like the Tortuga Island boys' shirt and the Around the World girl shirt. The kids feel good knowing that part of the price of the shirt is going to a good cause -- although 3Po thinks it's being donated to help save Lonesome George. I explained to him that sadly, it's too late for Lonesome George, but we can learn from the tragedy and make educated choices to prevent such mistakes from being made again. I explained that the donation will be going towards education programs to teach people in the Galapagos islands about sustainability, eco-awareness and the importance of preserving the Galapagos as a global heritage site. Now that he could understand -- and just like that, 3Po was happy, knowing that his shirt would help do so much good.

Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Green Works cleaning products review

One of the simplest ways a household can reduce their impact on the planet is to switch to environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Simple, right? Except, not really. Many of the eco-friendly cleaners out there don't actually clean too well, and they were expensive to boot. So when I first tried Clorox Green Works cleaners , I got all excited. Finally, some eco-friendly products that actually work, and don't cost the earth! I've used Green Works ever since. And when the Mom Bloggers Club invited me to review some of Green Works' most popular products, it was a no-brainer since I already know how good they are.

Here are the four Green Works products that were sent to me, and what I think of them:


Cleaning Wipes · Green Works® Naturally Derived Cleaning Wipes pack some serious cleaning power and are made with naturally derived ingredients, such as citric acid and wood fibers. That means they won’t give off harsh chemical fumes or leave behind harsh chemical residue. And they can be thrown in compost bin after using, since they’re 100 percent biodegradable. These wipes are safe for use on most non-wood surfaces, including acrylic, fiberglass and vinyl.

We always have a can of Green Works Cleaning Wipes in the cabinet underneath our bathroom sink. They are perfect for quick bathroom touch-ups -- when it's not yet time to give the bathroom a thorough scrubbing, but the kids have been careless with their spitting and there's dried toothpaste at the edge of the sink. You know those times! I don't feel icky when I use them because I know they don't have harsh chemicals. Also, I love that they're 100% biodegradable, so I can rest easy knowing they're not clogging up landfills.



All-Purpose Cleaner
· From the cooktop to the countertop, Green Works® Naturally Derived All-Purpose Cleaner powers through grease, grime and dirt without leaving behind harsh chemical fumes or residues. Green Works All Purpose Cleaner is safe to use on multiple surfaces throughout the kitchen and bathroom, including counters, appliances, stainless steel, sealed granite, chrome, cooktop hoods, sinks and toilets.

For the most part, I use only ionized water to clean our countertops, and for the most part it works really well, but there are some stubborn stains that just cannot be removed with water alone. So I always keep a bottle of cleaner in the cleaning cupboard -- and it's always Green Works. I've loved the Green Works cleaner ever since I first tried it!



Laundry Detergent · Green Works® Laundry Detergent is tough on dirt and stains — and dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin. The powerful combination of naturally derived cleaning ingredients will leave laundry fresh and clean — without phosphates, optical brighteners or harsh chemical residue. The detergent is formulated for both standard and high-efficiency (HE) washers.

The laundry detergent is really working well in our front-loading washer. Even on a cold cycle (I wash all our laundry on a cold cycle), it gets our clothes clean. I also like that it's concentrated, so I don't need to use as much detergent. I do find the scent (we received Original Scent) rather strong, so I think I would probably prefer the Free and Clear.



Bathroom Cleaner
· Green Works® Naturally Derived Bathroom Cleaner is made with plant- and mineral-based cleaning ingredients that power through soap scum, rust and hard water stains — without harsh chemical fumes and residue. It works powerfully on bathroom counters, sinks, bathtubs, tile and shower doors, removing tough soap scum.

While the Green Works Cleaning Wipes are great for lighter jobs, the Green Works Bathroom cleaner is perfect for doing the dirty work. When it's bathroom cleaning day, this is the product that gets the job done in our household.


To make a long story short, I highly recommend Green Works products. They're available at most groceries and mass-market retailers, so you won't have any problem finding them. You won't have any problem cleaning with them, either!

Disclosure: I received Greenworks product samples via the Mom Bloggers Club to facilitate my review. Product information is provided by the Mom Bloggers Club and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Miracle-Gro Kids ModPots

My thumb is blacker than black. I can barely keep a cactus alive! Still, every summer I try to grow a few vegetables or herbs -- and whatever manages to sprout never lasts the summer.

This year, I decided to involve the kids -- with a little help from the Miracle-Gro Kids ModPots set that was given to me for review.

The Basics
About ModPots:
Welcome to gardening with a modern twist! The Miracle-Gro Kids ModPots gardening set can be arranged again and again with snap-able, switchable plant pots. The ModPots set also includes Gro-Pod containers wtih Miracle-Gro Gro-Mix, seed packets, plant marking stakes, a planting stick, a Gro-Chart and plant care instructions. ModPots sets are available in both flower and vegetable varieties that can be combined to create an even more exciting garden design.


The Bongga
My kids really took to gardening with these ModPots! I have to admit, the fact that their grandmother was visiting may have had something to do with it -- she's an experienced gardener, and taught them now to germinate the seeds in the pots and care of the seedlings once they sprouted. But while Nana provided the expertise, ModPots provided the fun. The kids loved the brightly colored pots and cute little plant marking stakes (and I was thankful the kit came with multiple pots and seeds so each kid could "own" a plant).

They experimented with different layouts for the ModPots (you can snap them together in a variety of configurations) and decided to lay them out in a line so they could use our windowsill. They were so excited when their seeds sprouted:




It only took about 10 days or so. My mother'-in-law was surprised and impressed that it took so little time! I guess that's the Miracle-Gro potting mix for you. By the way, that photo was taken just over one month ago; take a look at these babies now!



They've outgrown their Miracle-Gro pots and are ready to go outside. I'm terrified these plants will die because I don't think I've ever grown a plant from seed to this advanced stage, but the kids seem to have it in hand. They water the plants and make sure they have enough space to grow. They even did the transplanting and staking! I'm happy to see them taking responsibility for growing these plants and happy to see their sense of accomplishment with each new leaf, stem and flower that sprouts.

And what of our ModPots? I've washed them off and they are on the gardening shelf in our garage, waiting for next year's vegetable garden!


The Blah
The ModPots do interlock -- but only "sort of". They do not actually snap together to become one unit. If you try to pick them up, they'll separate immediately (as we found out, to one poor little eggplant seedling's detriment).


The Bottom Line
Miracle-Gro Kids ModPots is a fun and easy way to introduce kids to gardening and keep them motivated and engaged throughout the whole growing process.

Disclosure:I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by Litzky PR and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Endangerbles review and giveaway

I love that kids are learning, even at the earliest ages, about the importance of being earth-friendly and aware of how our actions impact the planet we live in. I recently found out about a cast of characters -- The Endangerbles -- that is helping to educate kids about endangered animals. Each cute, cuddly Endangerbles character is based on, or represents, a specific species that has been or is currently on the endangered species list. For example, you've got Sasha the penguin, Ulysses the Bald Eagle, Khul the tiger, Milton the baby orangutan, Bucksnort the Indian Rhino and more. Kids can visit the Endangerbles website to learn more about the real animals the Endangerbles are based on. They're all so adorable, kids are practically guaranteed to fall in love with them. Hopefully, that will translate into a desire to protect the live version of their Endangerbles friend!

Endangerbles currently has a line of plush toys and a cd for sale at the Endangerbles online store.


About the Endangerbles cd:
The Endangerbles music CD features 10 original upbeat songs, all composed by Fred Bogert, the three-time Emmy-nominated musician-performer widely acclaimed for his musical contributions to the popular kids-based folk-rock duo Trout Fishing In America.


Download a free Endangerbles song
Endangerbles is offering Bonggamom Finds the chance to download a free mp3 of the Endangerbles theme song, "Extinction for Extinction"! Just visit The Endangerbles website at www.endangerbles.com, sign up to become a Deputy (it's free), and select SSA as the option for where you heard about The Endangerbles.


Win a Endangerbles gift pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win an Endangerbles gift pack, which includes:

* One Endangerbles cd
* One Endangerbles plush animal (winner's choice)


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share a tip for helping children become more eco-aware. This entry must be completed before extra entries qualify.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).


1) Visit the Endangerbles store and tell me which of their adorable plush animals you would like to receive if you win (1 entry).

2) Become an Endangerbles Deputy (1 entry).

3) Subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates (1 entry).

4) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Networked Blogs (1 entry).

5) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(1 entry).

6) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Endangerbles giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/bonggaprizes

7) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day, leave a comment with the tweet link for each tweet):
Win an Endangerbles prize pack at @bonggafinds http://tinyurl.com/bonggaprizes #giveaways

8) Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you've joined).


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on June 15, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on June 16 and post the winner's name after the winner confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

Disclosure: I will be receiving a review copy of the Endangerbles cd. I have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. CD information was taken from the Endangerbles online store and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Mickey + Minnie Mouse Hand Wash by Method

Being a big Disney fan, I was thrilled when the Mom Bloggers Club invited to review Method's new Mickey + Minnie Hand Wash. I happen to use Method hand soaps and household cleaners because I'm a big fan of their eco-friendly ingredients and minimalist package design. The hand wash definitely did not disappoint, and whether you're looking to complete your Mickey-themed bathroom or just like nice-smelling soap, this is the one for you.


The Basics
Mickey and Minnie are as iconic as they come. which is one of the many reasons we developed a naturally derived, biodegradable foaming hand wash in the likeness of Disney’s most delightful power couple. The gentle formula leaves hands feeling soft + clean. And in bright, fresh fragrances like lemonade and strawberry fizz, you don’t have to be a kid to recognize the scent of the happiness. Let the foam party begin.


The Bongga
I'm not a fan of foaming soaps, but I'm prepared to make an exception for this one. The smell! Oh, the smell! That sunny, fresh lemonade smell! I'll have to look for the strawberry fizz scent to see if it's as good. The Mickey ears bottle is cute too; if only they had made the text on the bottle smaller, I could totally re-use it.

Here's what my boys had to say about the soap:
Jammy: It feels very comfortable, and smells great!

3Po: It makes me want to drink lemonade.


The Blah
Like I said, it would have been so much cuter, more minimalist, less tacky, if the "method" and other lettering on the bottle had been in smaller, more unobtrusive, print.


The Bottom Line
Eco-friendly. Lemon. Mickey Mouse. What's not to love?

Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Bonggamom's Eco-Friendly Product Roundup, 2011

Happy Earth Day! Last year I published my first-ever Eco-Friendly products roundup, and I enjoyed writing it so much I've decided to make it an annual thing. Here are some products I've reviewed over the past year that will make your life easier or more enjoyable -- but have less of an impact on your carbon footprint:

	How cute are these Lucky Puppy Onesies? They come in sophisticated colors that go way beyond pastel pink and blue, and they're made with 100% organic cotton -- Soft on baby, soft on the eye, soft on the earth!
	My daughter loves her new Camelbak Groove reusable water bottle. It has a built-in filter, so she can fill it up at the water fountain at school or at the park, and it doesn't have any nasty tap water taste. It's BPA-free, too, which means no nasty chemicals make their way into her body.
	Green up your child's lunch box with these reusable lunch containers from Bright Bin. It keeps food in separate compartments, bento-box style. It's non-toxic, microwave safe, dishwasher safe and practically kid-proof (The Pea has used this nearly every schoolday for almost five months, and it still looks like new). They even have a little handle, so your child can take it to school without having to put it in a separate bag.
	Green & Black's organic chocolate comes in such wonderfully sophisticated flavors, you'll feel like a chocolate gourmet when indulge in a bar. You'll also feel good knowing that it's fair-trade certified, so no underage kids had to miss school and give up their future so you could enjoy it.
	I use Post-it notes all the time, so it's nice to know that Post-it now has a line of eco-friendly produts: Post-it® Greener Notes, Post-it® Recycled Notes, Post-it® Super Sticky Recycled Notes, and Post-it® Recycled Easel Pads. (check out my Post-It Earth Day giveaway!)
	It has been a while since I sang the praises of the Ionator HOM by ActiveIon, so I'm featuring it on my Earth Day roundup for the second straight year. I cannot say enough about how effectively it cleans with nothing but cold tap water. No chemicals, just water -- and the magic of science! This is one of my favorite finds ever, and we use it every single day.
	I featured Paper Culture in last year's round-up, and I'm featuring it again because of their chic designs and commitment to making environment-consciousness an integral part of their culture. To celebrate Earth Day, they're going one step further: not only do they plant a tree in one of our nation's forests with every Paper Culture order, they will also plant a tree for every new Facebook fan they receive, and for any current fan who makes a free dedication (until April 30).

Disclosure: I have reviewed these products in the past. I received no samples or compensation for including them in this round-up post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Earth Day Giveaway from Post-It Notes

Despite my reliance on computers and the internet, I still find myself writing little notes all the time. I'm so absentminded, it helps to jot down little reminders whenever I need to. And there's hardly a week that passes when Alfie leaves a little Post-it sticky note on our kitchen cabinet, where we're sure to see it, asking me to tape a show or reminding himself to take a chocolate bar to work because he's run out. We do love our Post-it notes! But we love the earth even more, so I was delighted to discover that Post-it has a line of sustainable products that are 100% recyclable, made with 100% recycled paper. Even the adhesive that makes them stick to anything (but not leave a mark) is plant-based. Since today is Earth day, please consider switching to recyclable Post-Its!

	Post-It Greener Notes are 100% recycled, with 30% post-consumer content, and are made with a new plant-based adhesive
	Post-It Recycled Notes are 100% recycled, with 30% post-consumer content, and are made with a new plant-based adhesive.
	Post-It Super-Sticky Recycled Notes are made from 100 percent recycled paper and contains 30 percent postconsumer content.
	Post-It Super-Sticky Recycled Easel Pads feature writing sheets made from a minimum of 30 percent postconsumer content.

In addition, all Post-it® Notes are SFI Chain of Custody Certified: Paper used comes from forests that are well-managed where trees are replanted.



Buy One, Plant Two


Help plant trees with 3M's Buy One Plant One sustainability program! Just purchase specially marked packages of qualifying Post-It or 3M recycled product and enter the promotion code on their Buy One Plant One site. They'll plant one tree for every product you register. Their goal is to plant 100,000 trees, and so far they have planted almost 4,000, so there's still plenty of time to participate. And from April 1 till December 31, 3M will plant two trees for every qualified product!


Win a Prize Pack of Post-It sustainable products
To celebrate Earth Day, Post-It is giving a pack of assorted Post-It sustainable products to one lucky Bonggamom Finds reader!


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me what you do to reduce your carbon footprint. This entry must be completed before extra entries qualify.


Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates (1 entry).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Networked Blogs (1 entry).

3) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(1 entry).

4) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Post-It Earth Day giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/bonggafindsprizes

5) Write this on the Post-It Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Post-It Earth Day giveaway on Bonggamom Finds! http://tinyurl.com/bonggafindsprizes

6) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day, leave a comment with the tweet link for each tweet):
Enter to win an assortment of Post-It sustainable products fr @bonggafinds http://tinyurl.com/bonggafindsprizes #giveaways

7) Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you've joined).



The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 6, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on May 7 and post the winner's name after the winner confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

Disclosure: Post-It is sending me some samples as a thank-you for hosting this giveaway. Thanks to Post-It for providing the giveaway prize! Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Green & Black Organic Fair Trade Certified Chocolate -- perfect for Earth Day

With Earth Day coming up on April 22, people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprints and help support the environment. Here are three easy and effective tips from chocolatier Green & Black’s:


* Save Water: Skip pre-washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher – which could save up to 12.5 gallons of water a week. Skip the head-dry cycle and air-dry dishes.

* Reduce Waste: Opt for a faucet or pitcher water filter rather than buying bottled water – which could keep thousands of water bottles out of landfills and save $600 a year per household.

* Save Energy: Wash laundry in cold water – which could save up to 80% of the energy used per load. Skip the dryer and opt to hang-drying laundry.


Another great way to celebrate Earth Day is by popping a square of Green & Black's Organic Fair Trade Certified Chocolate into your mouth! They use organic ingredients and are fair trade certified, so you can indulge in their treats knowing that they've been good to the earth and to mankind.

Here's more information about Green & Black’s Organic Fair Trade Certified Chocolate:

* Green & Black’s, using only the finest organically-grown cocoa beans, believes that every step from bean to bar is equally important and strives to ensure that all ingredients are grown in ways that are consciously respectful of the planet – including maintaining a sustainable relationship working directly with cocoa farmers.

* Green & Black's is a Fair Trade Certified brand dedicated to empowering its cocoa growing partners to establish sustainable livelihoods and communities. Farmers receive a guaranteed minimum for their ingredients, along with an additional premium to invest in the social, environmental and economic development of their countries.



Green & Black was kind enough to send us some samples of their wonderful chocolate. We received a bar of their milk chocolate with almond, dark (70%) and white chocolate. The almond bar was easily the best one, with a smooth chocolate taste that wasn't too milky. Being a dark chocolate family, you'd think we'd have preferred the 70% bar -- but while the taste was excellent, we all thought the texture was too brittle and not as creamy as our regular 75% dark chocolate bar.

The big surprise was the white chocolate -- we don't usually like white "chocolate" , but it disappeared just as fast as the first two bars! I loved seeing the little dark flecks of vanilla bean scattered throughout; it made it seem less like a bar of milk, sugar and butter, and more like a confection worth the calories.

Green & Black also makes several other varieties; all of them look wonderfully indulgent, with such sophisticated flavors (Ginger or Dark Chocolate Cherry, anyone?) and packaging that merely holding a bar in your hand makes you look like a discerning chocolate connoisseur. I've tried their Milk Chocolate Toffee, and it's as yummy as it sounds! I would also love to try their Mint and Maya Gold flavors. What a sweet way to save the earth!

Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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DisneyNature AFRICAN CATS: Watch a Movie, Save the Savanna

DisneyNature is releasing their third film, African Cats, on April 22, Earth Day. We've watched their first two films (Earth and Ocean) and we're looking forward to seeing this one just as much as we did the previous two. Since it's a Disney film, my expectations are high -- amazing cinematography, beautiful music, heartwarming story -- but I'm pretty sure they'll live up to it.


About the movie:
An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons.

Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.For more information about the movie and the “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats.


Last year I blogged about the conservation efforts that DisneyNature undertook in conjunction with the Ocean movie release, and this year they are doing a similar thing. For every moviegoer who sees African Cats on its opening week (April 22-28), DisneyNature will make a donation through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to AWF. The money will go towards protecting the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the African savanna.

Not only that, interacting with your friends about the movie via Disney Tickets Together will increase DisneyNature's donation. will double its donation. For all "African Cats" events created in Tickets Together (http://www.DisneyTicketsTogether.com), Disney will increase the donation to the Save the Savanna fund for every "Yes" RSVP that the events receive. The application launches during the week of April 18.

What a great way to celebrate Earth Day -- by watching this movie and making a difference!

Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Movie information is provided by DisneyNature and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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CamelBak Groove review and giveaway

Happy Earth Month! Throughout April, I'm sure you'll be hearing all kinds of tips on how to reduce your impact on the environment. It's going to be a recurring topic on tv, in magazines and around the internet... and on this blog. I'll be blogging about my favorite eco-friendly products and sharing my latest eco-friendly product discoveries, starting with CamelBak's latest product, the Groove.

One of the easiest things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is to switch to reusable water bottles. I stopped buying water in plastic bottles years ago, and have never looked back. I can only think of 2 reasons why reusable bottles can be a pain: first, they're difficult to clean, and second, when you need to refill them away from home, chances are you'll only be able to find water from a park water fountain or some other nasty-tasting tap water. The CamelBak Groove eliminates those 2 reasons with its dishwasher-safe material and a carbon filter built right into the straw. Keep reading to find out what I thought of the CamelBak Groove that was sent to me for review (and enter to win one of your own!):

The Basics
The Groove is a BPA-free plastic water bottle with an internal filter system. It comes in 0.6L-sized bottles made of BPA-free plastic (in 4 colors) as well as stainless steel. Filters last for approximately 4 months; a replacement pack of 2 filters costs $10 and a pack of 6 filters costs $24.

Here are the Groove's main features and benefits according to CamelBak:
* Turn tap water into fresh, great-tasting water anywhere you go. * Easy to refill and easy to use bottle with a filter built into the straw. Turn tap water into fresh, great-tasting water anywhere you go. *Durable, BPA-Free, easy to carry and spill-proof. * Flip & Sip: Sip with ease, flip shut for storage and no spills with the patented CamelBak Big Bite™ Valve. * Dishwasher safe.


The Bongga
What a great idea this is -- any water, anytime, anywhere. I love it! Okay, to be completely honest, The Pea loves it. I barely had to time to fill up the Groove and take a sip before she claimed it for her own. First and foremost, the water tastes clean and fresh. She loves the cute teal color and the convenience of sipping from it whenever she wants. She's even willing to clean it out every day, which gives you an idea of how easy it is to clean! The bottle itself is easy to clean because it's dishwasher-safe and has a wide mouth opening (cleaning the valve is a whole other story; see my "Blah" section).

The Pea has been taking it to school for the past two weeks, and she has taken it with her on her class camping trip to California Gold Rush country. They'll be "roughing it" and learning to live they way people did in 1849, so I'm glad she has the Groove with her: even if she has to drink water out of the tap, she has that filter.


The Blah
I can't be sure at this point, but I have a feeling that remembering to buy filters (and finding them) for this product is going to be a drag.

Also, I have never been a big fan of water bottles with built-in straws or sippy-cup-like openings or valve-like tips that you suck (or, if you're a kid, gnaw on). They're so difficult to clean, and despite my best efforts I always feel like there are spaces I can't get to where germs are multiplying. I wish the Groove had a version with a top like a commuter mug!


The Bottom Line
If you're serious about great-tasting water and saving the earth, the Groove is the water bottle for you.


Win a CamelBak Groove
Three lucky Bonggamom Finds readers will each receive a Groove filtered water bottle from CamelBak!




Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me where you would take your new Groove bottle, and where you would fill it up with tap water. This entry must be completed before extra entries qualify.


Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates (1 entry).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Networked Blogs (1 entry).

3) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(1 entry).

4) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the CamelBak Groove giveaway! http://ow.ly/4tcZ8

5) "Like" the CamelBak Facebook page (1 entry)

6) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day, leave a comment with the tweet link for each tweet):
3 winners will receive a CamelBak Groove filtered water bottle at @bonggafinds ! Enter by 4/21/11 http://ow.ly/4tcZ8 #giveaways

7) Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you've joined).



The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on April 21, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on April 22 and post the winner's name after the winner confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Bright Bin New Generation Lunchbox Review

When it comes to packing school lunches, I try to make sure that what goes inside my kids' lunchbox is as good for the earth as it is for my kids' bodies. That means no disposable plastic bags for sandwiches, fruit, popcorn and the like. Even if I wanted to use plastic bags (and sometimes, when I'm running late, I really, really want to), my kids keep me honest; they constantly remind me, "No plastic bags, mama!". Their school has an ongoing waste reduction program where they count each and every plastic bag that gets thrown away, so the kids are very aware of the impact that a daily plastic sandwich bag can make.

Over the years I've amassed a collection of reusable containers for the kids' lunches -- cloth sandwich bags, plastic sandwich boxes, plastic containers of various sizes, etc.. -- and I'm always on the lookout for other products. I've found that containers with multiple compartments seem to work best, so I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to review a bento-style lunchbox from Bright Bin.

The Basics
The New Generation Lunchbox from Bright Bin is an environmentally responsible lunch container that's easy and convenient for the people preparing the lunch. Here is a list of features of the Bright Bin.....

* 100% waste-free. * No plastic bags and no lids or small storage containers to get lost. * Can be used on its own as a lunch box or can be inserted inside any insulated lunch bag to replace plastic bags, reusable bags, and small food storage containers. * Non-toxic: made of food safe polypropylene free of BPA, phthalates, lead, and PVC. * Save time! Making lunch has never been easier or faster since food goes directly into the built-in food compartments. * Save money! Save over $60 each year by not buying plastic bags, disposable pre-packaged snack bags, or food storage containers. * Dishwasher and microwave oven safe. * Option to come with a VELCRO® brand Fastener to fasten the lunch box into the lunch bag. * Conforms to or exceeds U.S. and European safety standards

The Bongga
This has got to be the perfect lunch container! Check it out:

The top section is the perfect size and shape for a sandwich (or in this case, a spinach and turkey wrap). You can also put pasta or hummus in it because this section has rubber around the rim to help prevent leaks.


The middle section has 3 compartments, bento-box style, so you can pack a multi-course meal without fiddling with lots of tiny (read: easy to lose) containers or wasteful plastic bags. I love being able to pack chips and not worry about them becoming soggy. It's perfect for picky kids who don't like different foods touching each other.


The whole thing snaps shut without any separate lids (so they don't get lost or accidentally thrown out with the lunch table trash). The instructions recommend practicing with your child a couple of times to get the hang of opening and closing the latch, but neither I nor my kids had any problem working it. It's really easy, and it keeps everything shut nice and tight!

The cutest thing of all is the little handle that flips up, so it can be a stand-alone lunchbox -- I don't think I've ever seen that in a bento box! You can also keep the handle down and pack the whole thing into a bigger lunch container.

The Bright Bin is microwave and dishwasher safe, so it's convenient and time-saving. It's free from all those nasty chemicals, and it's reusable, so you're saving money and saving the earth. I love it!

The Blah
There's really only one enhancement I'd love to see for the Bright Bin: I wish there was some way I could dismantle it so I can put it in my dishwasher! The Bright Bin is dishwasher-safe, but it takes up way too much space in the dishwasher because you have to open it all up to make sure all compartments get cleaned.

The Bottom Line
With multi-level compartments, leak-resistant rubber gaskets, and stand-alone handle, the New Generation Lunchbox from Bright Bin is unique from the other bento-style lunch containers I've tried. It's an easy way to reduce waste, save money and save the earth!


Save 20% off The New Generation Lunch Box
Get 20% off The New Generation Lunch Boxes through December 31 when you purchase from BrightBin.com and use the code bonggamom11

Disclosure:I received a product sample, but was not paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by Bright Bin, and is clearly indicated as such. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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